With almost 4000 small businesses operating in the City of Armadale the city will continue its Armadale enterprise development program for a second year.
The program will run for the next 12 months and provide training opportunities for small business.
According to the Australian bureau of statistics of the 4000 small businesses in the area more than 2572 were non-employing while about a quarter employed one to four people.
Only three employed more than 200 people.
An average two new businesses opened every five days.
Mayor Henry Zelones said small business was the major employer in the city.
“They provide local jobs and services for families and it is a sector that we want to continue to thrive,” he said.
“The enterprise development program is aimed at assisting small businesses and providing them with the knowledge to grow their business.
“The program consists of eight individual workshops and training sessions, which are delivered at a variety of locations in and around Armadale, in a variety of formats, to maximise their appeal and convenience to Armadale’s small medium enterprise (SME) community.”
Mr Zelones said with population hikes expected in coming years it was important to provide support.
“Small business is the one area of the business community which can take serious advantage of the rapid population growth,” he said.
“It will provide opportunities within major district and activity centres for new business opportunities.”
Mr Zelones said with the city’s gross regional product estimated at $2.49 billion, the area’s importance as the strategic metropolitan centre of the southeast metropolitan area continued to grow.
“I encourage all businesses operating within the city to take advantage of these training sessions and to go to the economic development section of the city’s website to get more details or to make a booking,” he said.
“We have designed the program sessions and content for 2015-16 based on feedback received from the businesses who participated last year.”
Workshop
The next workshop will be about social media and cover linkedin, facebook and twitter.
Social media: the big three will be held on September 15 from 4pm to 6.30pm at Avocados, 2 Mount Street, Kelmscott and costs $20.
It will be followed by a sundowner for discussion of specific business issues and insight into the knowledge and experience of fellow City of Armadale business owners.
To book call 9336 8000 or visit www.businessfoundations.com.au.
